Results of 2024 Grade 5 exam to be released before February 12

The results of the 2024 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination are expected to be released between February 10 and 12, Examinations Commissioner General Amith Jayasundara said.

High Court Judge appointed as Director General of Bribery Commission

High Court Judge Ranga Srinath Abeywickrema Dissanayake has been appointed as the new Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, effective today, by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Myanmar junta kills at least 41 in airstrike

A junta airstrike in Myanmar has killed at least 41 people and injured 50 others in the Rakhine State, local media reported on Thursday.

Sri Lankan accused of sexually assaulting woman on flight to Australia

A man accused of sexually assaulting a woman aboard an international flight has been banned from leaving the country while his court case is underway.

TikTok to make final plea at Supreme Court against US ban

TikTok will appear before the US Supreme Court on Friday in a last-ditch effort to overturn a ban, in a case testing the limits of national security and free speech.

Any Sri Lankan behind smuggling in Rohingyas? Probe begins

Following Rohingya arrivals and intelligence reports about plans for further 100,000 such cases, the police have begun investigations to ascertain whether any Sri Lankan is involved behind this human smuggling racket, a Minister said yesterday.

Public consultation on Western Province tariff revision today at BMICH

The public consultation session on the Western Province electricity tariff revision will be held at 9 a.m. today at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) announced.

SLTB launches luxury bus service between BIA and Makumbura

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) luxury bus service is now available between Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) and the Makumbura Multimodal Center (MMC) in Kottawa, providing greater convenience for travellers, the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka announced.

Modifying vehicles is not a crime: Namal

Referring to action taken by the police to remove certain parts from the vehicles under the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ programme, SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa yesterday said modifying a vehicle is not a crime.

More than 100 turtles found dead

More than 100 turtles had been found dead in the sea off the North, much to the anxiety of the fisherfolk and environmentalists.

Get real on ‘Clean Sri Lanka’

The ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ campaign launched by the government is hitting headlines especially in the electronic media, with videos of buses and three wheel drivers being stopped by police, advising them to remove the additional accessories on their vehicles.

First Bond auction for the year notches a partial acceptance

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka conducted its first T-Bond auction for the year, expecting to raise Rs. 190.0bn.

Smith to captain Australia in Sri Lanka Tests

Former captain Steve Smith will lead Australia in the upcoming three-match Test series against Sri Lanka as Pat Cummins will be on paternity leave.

Govt. launches Rs. 10bn subsidised loan for paddy procurement in Maha season

The government announced that it rolled out a Rs.10 billion loan facility under a subsidised interest rate for Small and Medium Scale (SME) Paddy Millers and Cooperative Societies to purchase paddy in the Maha Season 2024/2025.

Banks’ SRR under review for improved policy execution

On the heels of the Central Bank transitioning to a single policy rate from a dual policy rate structure for implementing and communicating the monetary policy, the Central Bank said it is currently in the process of reviewing the Statutory Reserve Requirement (SRR) framework in line with the Flexible Inflation Targeting framework and the international best practices.

Indices close on a negative note

Indices closed in red as a result of price losses in counters such as Sampath Bank, Commercial Bank and Melstacorp with the turnover crossing Rs. 4.1 bn.

Lebanon parliament elects army chief Joseph Aoun as president

Lebanon’s army chief Joseph Aoun has been elected as the country’s president, ending a power vacuum that lasted for more than two years.

Total expenditure for construction of MRIA not utilised effectively: National Audit Office

The National Audit Office has revealed that the total expenditure of USD 247.7 million (equivalent to Rs. 36,564 million), including price increases and variances, for the construction of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) has not been utilised effectively.

Rising tobacco addiction among Sri Lankan schoolchildren sparks concern

Sri Lanka is grappling with a rising trend of tobacco addiction among schoolchildren, highlighting the urgent need to address this growing issue to protect the well-being of the country’s future leaders.

Attack on Chad’s presidential palace leaves 19 dead

An attack on Chad’s presidential palace left 18 assailants dead and six in custody, with one soldier killed and three wounded, state media reported Thursday.

Rice shortage not linked to free distribution: Wajira blames poor governance

United National Party (UNP) Chairman Wajira Abeywardena said that it is fallacy that free distribution of rice among low income families during the time of the last government lead to the current shortage in market supply.

CEJ urges to halt haphazard elephant drives

The Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) has requested the Director General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation to immediately halt all unsystematic elephant drives as a measure to address the human-elephant conflict (HEC).

NPP MP Nishantha Samaraweera elected chairman of COPE

NPP MP Nishantha Samaraweera has been elected Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) today.

President appoints two new judges to Court of Appeal

Two newly appointed Court of Appeal judges were officially sworn in by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning.

Justice Minister apologises to Speaker for addressing him ‘Your Honour’

Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara extended an apology for inadvertently addressing the Speaker as ‘Your Honour’ in Parliament today.

Metal piece from lighter found in bun

A metal piece from a gas lighter was found in a fish bun purchased from a food stall in Panadura yesterday.

Experts warn of rising influenza cases, stress importance of hygiene

The seasonal influenza is making a return, with an increasing number of cases being reported across the country.

’Johnny', the dog follows trail for 4 kilometres to find battery thief

In a thrilling pursuit, a police sniffer dog named ’Johnny’ followed a scent trail for nearly four kilometres through Wariyapola to track down a suspect who had stolen batteries from vehicles parked as case evidence materials at the Wariyapola District Court.

IMF has no objection to public sector salary increment: Deputy Minister

Claiming that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has not made any objections to the proposed public sector salary increment, Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe said today the government will go ahead with the proposal and provide a significant salary increment in the upcoming budget.

No HMPV case detected in Sri Lanka, 20 locations assigned for testing: Nalinda

Claiming that no HMPV cases have been detected in Sri Lanka recently as reported by certain media, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today that the Health Ministry is on alert and assured to inform the people if any person infected with the virus was detected in the country.